Deliberate explosion rocks north Price

A thunderous explosion rocked north Price Tuesday afternoon as an unidentified explosive devastated an abandoned Emery Telcom storage building on Wood Hill.

The empty cinder block and cement structure lost two walls to the 4 p.m. explosion and had to be torn down for safety reasons by Carbon County and Price City Police.

The explosion's initial investigation was performed by Price Fire Chief Paul Bedont and city detectives. After the scene was secured, authorities begin tracking just how far debris was thrown.

"This was a caused event," said Price Police Capt. Bill Barnes. "There was nothing in that building. It was totally empty. This wasn't a lightning strike but the exact nature of the explosion is still under investigation."

All that is left of the 256 square foot building is an inverted V, comprised of one wall and the structure's roof.

"I don't think this was kids with firecrackers of any kind," said Barnes. "I think this is more significant than that."

The Price Captain reported that while each situation calls for its own set of tactics, the presence of a second device is always an issue for the first officers on scene following an explosion.

The Utah Bomb Task Force comprised of members from The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Utah County law enforcement agencies, responded Tuesday evening to investigate the explosion and collect forensic evidence.

While the task force is on the job, Price detectives are also actively investigating the crime. Anyone with information related to this incident should call the Price Police Department at 636-3190 or Price Public Safety Dispatch 637-0890. Citizens should be attentive to anyone who displays an unexplained concussion or hearing loss.